Admittedly, we had experienced a rough week, capped off by the out-of-nowhere announcement that our wonderful Range Rover, who had carried us along on adventures too numerous to count, had bit the dust. Finito. Just like that. Fortunately, we have a positively ancient Saab 900 turbo (yes, the car from "Sideways") that has been patiently waiting on stand by at the public parking lot. A new battery was plopped in, she was ready to roar and so a much needed picnic was prepared.

As it was a day not to take risks but rather solely reap rewards, we both knew to head back to the land outside of Uzes that comforts us so. We stayed for hours, to the point where the dogs were getting restless, uncertain what to make of Remi's sleeping form on the blanket. I started walking and they bounded after me eagerly.

I traced the perimeter of the upper terrace of vines as if I owned it, so sure were my feet slapping on the ground, crunching through the soil. And then I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned in a circle, gazing. "Of course, this isn't mine but I am so lucky that I can be here and feel this...that is enough." The birds sang and I sighed with contentment. Sometimes, it can be that easy.

I bounded back to fetch my iphone from the car and took the above video to pass along. I know that it is tiny and the sound is bad but hopefully in watching it you will catch a whiff of the sweet perfume of le bonheur. For that too is not solely mine but maybe it can be ours...

After hitting "publish" I can't shake the sentiment that I didn't quite express what I had hoped to in this post but I will make a wish...and let it go...

Have a lovely week ahead everyone and hold on tight to those dear to you...

37 comments:

That last photo of Ben and Kipling makes my heart just melt! Heather, so sorry you had a bumpy week and to hear about the passing of your Range Rover. Glad you were able to escape to such a magical spot to be soothed by beauty, thanks for taking us along. Have a wonderful, beautiful week, my friend! XOXO

Jeanne, it was a really big deal that Kipling snuggled up to Ben and Ben let him! I was so excited to see it. It takes time between them but it is slowly happening...and wishing you a beautiful week too! Thank you so much as always for being such a kind and supportive friend. :)

Thank you. Now, of course, I wish that I had made a longer one - but it seemed like it was going on for forever when I filmed it. Time is so bendy. And yes, it makes me happy that Kipling is starting to run back towards me when we go for our walks in the country.

Heather, I hope the 'rough'-ness of last week was of the passing kind. You have captured some luscious details and the final photo of those two light-dappled coats, their wavy fur going in opposite directions is, indeed, priceless. I hope this week is a better one.

You do? I am holding you to that!! :) And it was fun to see them trying to figure out how to sit comfortably. We bought a safety net to protect them a bit - and to keep Kipling from coming up front because I know that he would!

A wonderful affair Heather...I loved your video clip. When we travel with you vicariously, it is the little things that bring it all home. For me..it was your dog bounding up to you. So sweet. What a drama with your cars, sorry to hear that one is destined for land of lost cars. The first car I ever bought for myself, when I was just a wee corporate high flyer in the burbs of Connecticut, was a black Saab 900. I loved that car and the 90's ray bans that I wore when I drove it..major cool..or a least I thought so. I hope your car gives you a few more years. Thank you again for taking us along.. xx

Oh that made me smile because Remi started wearing this radical pair of raybans from the 80s when he started driving the Saab again!!! They are really big with a silver stripe across the top. It must just work for the car. And it is a great car. We have left some new fancy cars in the dust, I can tell you. But oh, she is oooold. We really have no idea how much longer we will have her. Fingers crossed...

Uh. I see a Pinterest button on the share below the post (Blogger added it weeks ago). Does this mean you allow your photos with the credit to be posted on Pinterest? I see that is possible on some of the pins there, but I don't know how to do that.

Wow. Thanks for letting me know - I had no idea and this upsets me quite a bit as I am anti-Pinterest. I would strongly prefer that you do not Pin, as is stated on the blog but for now, there is nothing that I can do to stop you from doing so.

You can remove that feature in Blog Layout > Click on the lower right corner of the Blog Post box in the center > in the pop up box, Unclick "Show Share Buttons." I think you can then add a gadget for any sharing you might want. I also believe there is a way to label your photographs and/or add a no click feature to them. The Unclick feature (methinks) prevents right click and save, copy, set as background.

Merci, Juliet! I see from my statistics page that I do have Russian readers and yet you are one of the first to say hello. I have only been to St. Petersbourg in your country but oh, what an amazing experience it was and the Russian people that I met were some of the most generous of any that I have met anywhere...

You captured a wonderful Spring day Heather. Sorry to hear about the Range Rover. However, as a long time Saab owner, I know an old, reliable 900 turbo will get you where you need to go. With the backseat pulled down, the puppers can have plenty of room! Enjoy your week and thanks for sharing the video and photos.

Somethings happen at the wrong time, balanced by beautiful surprises. Ben and Kipling seem to enjoy the interlude.Nice short video.The vines there are similar to the vines here in the valley. In the midst of beauty, one can’t ask for more.

I am having a mini meltdown because the dishwasher is misbehaving. I can't imagine what I would do if my car ceased to be. Bawl, probably. I think your seeking solace in a picnic was an excellent strategy. Hugs and best wishes.

We got it! Sorry about the Range Rover - that truly is sad news; were the pups confused to be riding in the Saab? But glad that a picnic helped to soothe the soul a bit! Loved the video with Ben ahead, waiting patiently, and Kipling behind! Hope this week is going better; thank you for yet another lovely post!!

Yes, it IS officially spring! (Although Paris did not get much of a winter, so I shouldn't be so dramatic in my declaration.) I see an ice patch in one of your shots, so maybe it was frostier down by you?

Happy spring bopping around in your Giamatti-mobile through the vineyards. ; )

Subscribe to Lost in Arles

Search This Blog

About Me

Heather Robinson earned a MFA from Yale and was a professional actress in New York before moving to France where she collaborated with National Geographic photographer Rémi Bénali as a photographer/writer team covering tribes, traditions and World Heritage Sites in some of the world's most far-flung places. Heather has been a regular contributor to Grands Reportages magazine in France where her work has also been published in Figaro Magazine, Hotel & Lodge, Le Pèlerin and Le Monde des Religions. Her writing has also been seen in numerous magazines in Europe, Africa, Asia, South-East Asia and Russia. Her photography has been published in I-Heart magazine in France as well as Architectural Digest in the US. After 16 years of living in France, she is currently discovering what life in Provence is like on her own, always with an eye on beauty in all its forms as her inspiration.

Walk With Me

Discovering Arles was what the French call a "coup de coeur" or "love at first sight." I would be delighted to share with you its complex mesh of history, vitality and quality of life. I am currently offering a three hour walk through "Le Centre Historique" for small groups of up to six people. Please feel free to contact me at robinsonheather (at) yahoo.com for further details.